Wolf Watch

Wolf Watch is St. Francis’s weekly e-newsletter to our parent community that shares announcements for each grade level and updates on school activities and events. Wolf Watch is updated weekly throughout the school year, so check back every Sunday for the latest on St. Francis happenings.

For this week’s news, please select the appropriate section below.

News for the Week of January 12

All School

This Week’s Bible Verse
God has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen and as designers. —Exodus 35:35

Request Prayer and Other Support
Use this Care and Compassion Support Request form to submit confidential prayer requests directly to the chaplains. There is also a section on the form to request specific tangible support for yourself or others, beyond prayer, if needed.

Sunday Funday Par-Tee: Tickets Go on Sale Tomorrow
Join us for our COMMUNITY-WIDE celebration! This event is for golfers and non-golfers alike (adults only). Connect with your St. Francis friends, make new ones, and celebrate the incredible sense of community that makes SFE so special.

You can find all the information for our Sunday Funday Par-Tee here.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow—Monday, January 13. To purchase tickets, please click here.
Interested in playing golf at the tournment on Monday, February 24? Team tickets are still available here, and individual tickets are coming soon!

Help Shape Our Future: Please Attend a Strategic Plan Parent Focus Group This Wednesday or Thursday
As a part of the strategic planning process, parents are invited to attend one of the two focus groups being held on campus. We strongly encourage you to attend to help us shape the future of St. Francis Episcopal School. Please confirm your attendance by clicking here.

Wednesday, January 15
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Couper Campus—Student Life Center (Black Box)

Thursday, January 16
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Piney Point Campus—Fine Arts Center

Winter Wolf Games Are This Friday + Volunteers Needed
Don’t miss the Winter Wolf Games this Friday, January 17! Come cheer on our Upper School soccer and basketball teams on the Couper Turf Field and in Crum Gym. There will be swag, *new* cold-weather Spirit items for purchase, photo ops, Frito pies, popcorn, hot chocolate—and plenty of fun for all! See you there!

5:00–6:30 p.m.—Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Homeschool Christian Youth Association
5:30–6:30 p.m.—JV Blue Boys Basketball vs. First Baptist Academy
7:00–8:00 p.m.—Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Homeschool Christian Youth Association
7:00–8:30 p.m.—Varsity Boys Basketball vs. First Baptist Academy

We need volunteers to help make the event a success! Sign up here to volunteer.

FoFA Meets This Friday: Join Us!
Please join Friends of Fine Arts (FoFA) this Friday, January 17, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be held in the second-floor conference room in the Student Life Center building on Couper Campus.

All are welcome to attend and learn about the amazing support FoFA provides St. Francis’s students, faculty, and staff.
FoFA is an inclusive group of parents who support all aspects of the school's fine arts programming.

This Week: Donate Your Gently Used Uniforms and Spirit Wear During Carpool
The St. Francis Parents Organization (SFPO) Uniform Resale Committee will be accepting SFE uniform and Spirit Wear items at morning carpool drop-off locations each day this week.

Simply put everything in a bag and hand it to a carpool volunteer through the window—without even getting out of your car! It’s the easiest way to make a meaningful donation to the SFPO.
Please make sure your donations are clean and in good, resalable condition.
The new donations will be available for purchase at our pop-up sale on Wednesday, January 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Come Shop *NEW* Winter Accessories During Regular Spirit Store Hours
Our new St. Francis Parents Organization (SFPO) Spirit Store Cottage on Couper Campus is now open every first and third Friday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

We have some new winter accessories (SFE pom-pom beanies, bleacher blankets, and padded stadium seats) that you need to check out!
Please contact Jennifer Gerry with any questions or if you would like to volunteer to sell Spirit Wear.

Nominations Now Open for SFPO Officers and Committee
It's time to start thinking about the 2025–26 St. Francis Parents Organization (SFPO) Executive Committee. The SFPO supports the mission of St. Francis by providing meaningful volunteer opportunities for our parent community to uphold the four pillars of care and compassion, school spirit, teacher appreciation, and community-building.

If you are interested in serving on the SFPO Executive Committee—or know someone who is interested whom you would like to nominate—please email SFPO President Alison Plumhoff by Tuesday, January 21.

This Is Us Cultural Festival: Sign Up to Participate
We are excited to be hosting our second annual This Is Us Cultural Festival on Sunday, March 23, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please see information here and sign up to represent your country. We had over 30 countries represented last year and are looking forward to even more this year!

This Tuesday: Dads’ Club Breakfast Meeting

DON’T MISS OUR UPDATES!
Are you interested in joining the SFE Dads’ Club? Click here to sign up for our email distribution list!

UPCOMING MEETING: TUESDAY, JANUARY 14
Please join the Dads’ Club at our second informational get-together this Tuesday, January 14, from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. in the Hogan Board Room on Piney Point Campus. We’ll have coffee and breakfast bites as we discuss how we can make an impact on and off campus this semester. Get to know other SFE dads and learn how you can get involved! Please RSVP by emailing Stedman Grigsby—and encourage your friends to join.

Primary School

Pajama-Themed Open Library Tomorrow
To kick off Pajamarama week, you are invited to a special pajama-themed Open Library tomorrow—Monday, January 13—at 3:00 p.m. The event will include a pajama-themed book reading and activities. You and your child may also check out a book to take home!

Mark Your Calendar

Monday, January 13

Pajama Ingathering Begins
Open Library: 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 14

PS Chapel: 9:30 a.m.; Primary II parents are invited to attend

Wednesday, January 15

PS Chapel: 9:30 a.m.; Primary I parents are invited to attend

Friday, January 17

PS Pajamarama: Students only; students may wear pajamas to school
Pajama Ingathering Ends
Winter Wolf Games: 5:00–8:30 p.m. on Couper Campus

Monday, January 20

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: No school

Tuesday, January 21

PS Chapel: 9:30 a.m.; Primary II parents are invited to attend

Wednesday, January 22

PS Chapel: 9:30 a.m.; Primary I parents are invited to attend

Lower School

Sign Up Now: Parent Lunches With Students Start Soon
We’re thrilled to let you know that we will kick off our parent lunches with students soon! Please use the links below to sign up for lunch with your child:

GUIDELINES FOR LUNCH VISITORS
Due to space and safety concerns, lunch visitors are subject to important guidelines:

All lunch visitors must follow established check-in/checkout procedures and will receive a name tag upon arrival, which must be worn at all times while on campus.
Lunch visitors are asked to follow the dining procedures in our Lower School Handbook, as follows: "Parent/guardian lunches for students in kindergarten through grade 4 will be scheduled from October through April using the grade-level link available in the Parent Portal. (The link will also be sent in January.) Each family will be allotted three lunch dates within the school year. (Note: The lunch count is per family and not per child.) Please be aware that some dates may not be available due to previously scheduled events on campus. The school will limit the number of reservations per day to avoid congestion in the parking lot and within the school building."
St. Francis uses Veracross for scheduling family lunch dates to ensure efficient organization of highly attended dates when limited space is available.
Students are not allowed to invite their friends to eat with their parents and them.
No outside food is allowed.

Family Code Workshop Is January 27
Join us for a Family Code Workshop on Monday, January 27, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Hogan Board Room. Smart Families, an organization dedicated to teaching safe and healthy use of technology, will conduct a workshop for parents and students in grades 3–8. We will focus on creating a supportive environment to protect children from high-risk behaviors.

During the evening, you'll develop your own “Family Code,” reinforcing your values and positive, healthy ways to use technology.
Dinner and refreshments will be provided.
Please click here to RSVP.

Mark Your Calendar

Monday, January 13

LS Chapel: 8:20–8:50 a.m.

Thursday, January 16

LS Epiphany Eucharist Chapel: 8:20–8:50 a.m.
ERB/CTP Scores Released for Grades 3 & 4

Friday, January 17

ERB Parent Meeting via Zoom for Grade 3: 9:15–9:45 a.m.; Zoom link will be sent by email this Wednesday, January 15
ERB Parent Meeting via Zoom for Grade 4: 10:00–10:30 a.m.; Zoom link will be sent by email this Wednesday, January 15
Winter Wolf Games: 5:00–8:30 p.m. on Couper Campus

Monday, January 20

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday: School closed

Wednesday, January 22

Spring Enrichment Classes Begin

Thursday, January 23

LS Chapel: 8:20–8:50 a.m.

Friday, January 24

LS Lunar New Year Event: 2:00–2:45 p.m. in the FAC; students only

Middle School

ERB Makeup Testing Is This Week
ERB makeup testing will be held this Wednesday, January 15, and Thursday, January 16. Students who missed all testing days should expect to also test this Friday, January 17. More information was emailed last week to students who will be taking makeup tests, as well as to their parents.

During the evening, you'll develop your own “Family Code,” reinforcing your values and positive, healthy ways to use technology.
Dinner and refreshments will be provided.
Please click here to RSVP.

Uniform Reminders
The new year is a good time to check the fit of student uniforms and to ensure that all uniform expectations are being met.

Girls’ skirts should be fingertip length.
Boys are asked to wear belts when wearing shorts or pants with belt loops.
All students should keep shirts tucked in throughout the school day.

With cooler weather finally arriving, jackets and sweatshirts are needed most mornings.

Please remember that only St. Francis sweatshirts are to be worn inside the building. Students should always wear a polo shirt underneath the sweatshirt.
Girls are welcome to wear sweats or leggings underneath uniform skirts. These should be solid colors (without patterns) in gray, white, blue, or black.

A Note About Community Service Hours
St. Francis Episcopal School recognizes and celebrates students who involve themselves in helping others. During the 2024–25 school year, students in each grade level are required to participate in completing a minimum number of service hours, as follows:

Fifth Grade: 10 hours
Sixth Grade: 10 hours
Seventh Grade: 15 hours
Eighth Grade: 20 hours

To submit your service hours, complete the Community Service Hours Request Form and drop it off in the Middle School Office or email a PDF to Sarah Flores. The deadline to submit volunteer hours for the 2024–25 school year is Friday, May 2.

Mark Your Calendar

Monday, January 13

“A” Day
Regular Uniform
Regular Schedule
MS Chapel: 9:40–10:25 a.m.

Tuesday, January 14

“B” Day
Regular Uniform
Regular Schedule

Wednesday, January 15

“A” Day
Regular Uniform
Regular Schedule
ERB Makeup Testing

Thursday, January 16

“B” Day
Dress Uniform
Special Schedule
ERB Makeup Testing
MS Epiphany Eucharist Chapel: 9:40–10:25 a.m.

Friday, January 17

“A” Day
St. Francis Spirit Wear: St. Francis Spirit tops with full-length blue jeans or uniform bottoms
Regular Schedule
Pep Rally and Eighth Grade vs. Faculty Basketball Game: 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Winter Wolf Games: 5:00–8:30 p.m. on Couper Campus

Monday, January 20

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: No school

Tuesday, January 21

“B” Day
Regular Uniform
Regular Schedule

Wednesday, January 22

“A” Day
Regular Uniform
Regular Schedule

Thursday, January 23

“B” Day
Regular Uniform
Regular Schedule
MS Chapel: 9:50–10:20 a.m.

Friday, January 24

“A” Day
St. Francis Spirit Wear: St. Francis Spirit tops with full-length blue jeans or uniform bottoms
Regular Schedule

Upper School

Important Schedule Changes for the Spring Semester
Because of some updates to the Upper School schedule for the spring semester, the A/B Day rotation schedule has been adjusted. Click here to view the new schedule.

In addition, please note the following:

The date of Upper School Parent Conference Day, which was originally scheduled for Thursday, March 6, has been changed. Upper School Parent Conference Day is now scheduled for Thursday, March 27.
Immersions and Explorations Week is now scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, through Friday, February 21.

Midterm Thanks
Thanks to all students who studied hard and completed their midterms. Things went smoothly!

Visual Arts Exhibition: Opening Reception Is Wednesday + Volunteers Needed Tomorrow
Please join us for our third annual Upper School Visual Arts Exhibition Opening Reception this Wednesday, January 15, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Student Life Center on Couper Campus. All are welcome! For more information, please email Caroline Herrin.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We need volunteers to set up for this event tomorrow—Monday, January 13. If you can help, please click here to sign up.

Fine Arts and College Career Panel Is January 22
All SFE Upper School students and parents are welcome to join us at our Fine Arts College and Career Panel on Wednesday, January 22, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Student Life Center on Couper Campus. With questions, please email Claudia Mejia or Kristina Revaz.

Mark Your Calendar

Monday, January 13

“A” Day
Regular Uniform

Tuesday, January 14

“B” Day
Regular Uniform
US Chapel: 10:00–10:30 a.m. in Crum Gym

Wednesday, January 15

“A” Day
Regular Uniform

Thursday, January 16

“B” Day
Regular Uniform

Friday, January 17

“A” Day
SFES Spirit Wear: St. Francis Spirit shirt with full-length jeans or uniform bottoms
Semester 1 Report Cards Published
US Chapel: 10:00–10:30 a.m. in Crum Gym
Winter Wolf Games: 5:00–8:30 p.m. on Couper Campus

Monday, January 20

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday: School closed

Saturday, January 25

Upper School Winter Social: 6:30–8:30 p.m. in the Crum Gym and on the fields

Monday, January 27

“B” Day
Regular Uniform

Tuesday, January 28

“A” Day
Regular Uniform
US Chapel: 10:00–10:30 a.m. in Crum Gym

Wednesday, January 29

“B” Day
Regular Uniform

Thursday, January 30

“A” Day
Regular Uniform

Friday, January 31

“B” Day
SFES Spirit Dress: Wear a St. Francis Spirit shirt with full-length jeans or uniform bottoms
US Chapel: 10:00–10:30 a.m. in Crum Gym

Church

Join Us Each Sunday for Worship and Family-Focused Events

Sunday Family Worship Service: 9:00 a.m. in the church
Let It Shine Children's Bible Lesson: On Sundays during the 9:00 a.m. Family Worship Service, join Mrs. Devlin to learn about the Bible as we act out Scripture with costumes and props and pray together.
Coffee and Donuts: Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. (after the 9:00 a.m. Family Worship Service), get a cup of coffee and enjoy a time of fellowship.
Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional Service With Choral Music: 11:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist Rite I Service: 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the St. Clare Chapel

Women's Bible Study and Fellowship Returns This Wednesday
Women of all ages and life stages are invited to join us for Women's Bible Study and Fellowship every Wednesday through May, starting this Wednesday, January 15. Join us for a Bible study on the Gospel of John from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the St. Francis Church Parish Hall. For more information or to sign up, email Allison Devlin.

First Communion Classes Start February 2
Children in second grade and up are invited to participate in First Communion Classes to prepare for receiving the Holy Eucharist.

Beginning February 2, students will attend First Communion Classes on Sundays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. There will also be one Saturday class for families.
Class dates are Sunday, February 2; Sunday, February 9; Sunday, February 23; Sunday, March 2; and Saturday, March 22 (family session at 10:00 a.m.). First Communion Sunday is on March 23 at 9:00 a.m.
For more information or to sign up, email Allison Devlin.

Adult Confirmation Classes Continue Next Sunday
Father Bates is leading Adult Confirmation Classes for anyone wishing to be confirmed or received by Bishop Monterroso on Sunday, February 23.

Classes began today and will continue on these Sundays: January 19, and February 2, 9, and 16.
Classes begin at 10:15 a.m.; are held in the St. Francis Library (across from the nursery); and last 30 to 40 minutes. At least three sessions must be attended.
For more information, please email Sally Jo Flores.

February 2: New Confirmation Class Begins
All eighth graders interested in being confirmed into The Episcopal Church are invited to attend the Confirmation Ice Cream Social at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 2, to fellowship and hear from this year’s class about what the Confirmation year entails. Parents are also invited to attend and learn more from Father Bates. For more information, email Cindy Huteson.

12-Step Recovery Program at St. Francis
If you, a family member, or a friend have a problem with alcohol, help is available. Please come join one of the 12-step recovery programs being offered at St. Francis on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held weekly in Room CH207, upstairs in the Parish Hall building; and the Al-Anon Family Group meets weekly in Room CH211, also upstairs in the Parish Hall. All meeting rooms are ADA-accessible. Park in the north parking lot and come in through the Parish Hall doors. If you have questions, please email Tim.

Outreach Ministries: Opportunities to Serve
For additional information about any of the following outreach opportunities, visit the St. Francis Episcopal Church Outreach page or contact the church's Director of Outreach Heather Burkhart.

Memorial Assistance Ministries has an urgent plea from the pantry team for baby wipes, tissues, size 6 diapers, dish soap, and spray cleaner.
Lord of the Streets needs weekday volunteers between 8:00 a.m. and noon to serve our homeless neighbors. Over 300 hot meals are served daily. St. Francis also collects men’s clothes on an ongoing basis—men’s shoes are always needed.
The Fair Haven Food Pantry needs volunteers and donations of non-perishable food.

Now on Spotify: Sermons From St. Francis
Sermons From St. Francis are now on Spotify. You can listen on an Apple or Android device, on your desktop computer, or on your tablet. The Sunday sermons are available anytime you want to be inspired while on the go. No Spotify account is necessary. Click here to start listening today!

Healing Prayers and Anointings Available
Healing prayers and anointings are always available after Sunday Eucharist services, or you may schedule an appointment with a priest. For more information or to schedule an appointment, email Sally Jo Flores or call 832.325.2983.

Share Your Prayer Requests Online
Share your prayer requests with us on the St. Francis Episcopal Church home page by clicking on "Prayer & Worship" at the top left of the website, then clicking on the “Prayer Requests” link in the dropdown menu.

Bible Studies at St. Francis

MEN'S BIBLE STUDIES

Tuesdays at 7:00–8:00 a.m.
- Study: Gospel of John
- Contact: Fr. David Price
- Location: La Madeleine (Except on second Tuesday of each month, when group meets in St. Francis Church Parish Hall)
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast and Study: Second Tuesday of Each Month at 8:00–9:30 a.m.
- Study: The Book of Genesis (Life of Joseph)
- Location: St. Francis Church Parish Hall
- Contact: Sally Jo Flores

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDIES

Wednesdays from 9:30–11:00 a.m.
- Study: TBA
- Location: St. Francis Church Parish Hall
- Contact: Allison Devlin
Thursdays from 9:00–10:00 a.m. (On break)
- Book Study: TBA
- Contact: Louise Richman
- Location: Via Zoom (Contact Louise for passcode)

ADULT BIBLE STUDY

Sundays at 10:00–11:00 a.m.
- Study: The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis
- Location: Hogan Board Room
- Contact: George Hippard

How to Watch Sunday Service Via Livestream
To join St. Francis Episcopal Church’s 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Sunday service via livestream, open an Internet browser on your computer, laptop, or phone. Type in the St. Francis website—sfch.org. Scroll down to the “Watch Our Live Stream” section. Either the 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. service will be available.

Wolf Watch Archives

To view a previous edition of Wolf Watch, click on the corresponding link below:

2024-25
January 5, 2025
December 15, 2024
December 8, 2024
December 1, 2024
November 17, 2024
November 10, 2024
November 3, 2024
October 27, 2024
October 20, 2024
October 13, 2024
October 6, 2024
September 29, 2024
September 22, 2024
September 15, 2024
September 8, 2024
September 1, 2024
August 25, 2024
August 18, 2024

2023-24
May 19, 2024
May 12, 2024
May 5, 2024
April 28, 2024
April 21, 2024
April 14, 2024
April 7, 2024
March 31, 2024
March 24, 2024
March 17, 2024
March 3, 2024
February 25, 2024
February 18, 2024
February 11, 2024
February 4, 2024
January 28, 2024
January 21, 2024
January 14, 2024
January 7, 2024
December 17, 2023
December 10, 2023
December 3, 2023
November 26, 2023
November 12, 2023
November 5, 2023
October 29, 2023
October 22, 2023
October 15, 2023
October 8, 2023
October 1, 2023
September 24, 2023
September 17, 2023
September 10, 2023
September 3, 2023
August 27, 2023
August 20, 2023
August 13, 2023

2022-23
May 21, 2023
May 14, 2023
May 7, 2023
April 30, 2023
April 23, 2023
April 16, 2023
April 9, 2023
April 2, 2023
March 26, 2023
March 19, 2023
March 5, 2023
February 26, 2023
February 19, 2023
February 12, 2023
February 5, 2023
January 29, 2023
January 22, 2023
January 15, 2023
January 8, 2023
January 1, 2023
December 11, 2022
December 4, 2022
November 27, 2022
November 13, 2022
November 6, 2022
October 30, 2022
October 23, 2022
October 16, 2022
October 9, 2022
October 2, 2022
September 25, 2022
September 18, 2022
September 11, 2022
September 4, 2022
August 28, 2022
August 21, 2022
August 14, 2022

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